Love or Die CEO’s Daily Dose of Swoon

Chapter 122

Cordelia sat slumped at her desk, now changed into her cozy pajamas. Elbows planted firmly on the wood, she cradled her smartphone in her hands, awaiting a reply from the members of her social group chat.

Since yesterday, the question had been gnawing at her, who exactly was Everard? Even Sanderson, the guy who knew everyone in town, didn’t recognize the name. Could it be that Everard was a ghost, a figment of her Imagination?

This morning’s chat in the Pioneers Group sparked a realization, the group was a melting pot of professionals from various fields. Surely someone might know him, right?

But after she posted her question, the chat fell eerily silent.

After a torturous two–minute wait, a reply finally popped up.

Bland asked, [Lia, are you pulling our leg? How could you not know him?]

Cordelia blinked, her instincts telling her that Bland knew Everard. She typed back hastily, [Who is he?]

Silence fell over the group once again.

Just as she was about to probe further, another message came through.

Nolnterruptions said, [Never heard of him.]

Like an icebreaker, the message prompted a flurry of responses.

Pianoman said, [Nope, doesn’t ring a bell.]

Mathster replied, [A mystery to me.]

Painter said, [Who?]

Chef replied, [Not a clue.]

Others all replied, [No idea.]

Everyone chimed in except Louie Adams. Cordelia’s brow furrowed as she read the stream of ignorance, finally addressing Bland directly, [So, you’re the one who knows him, @Bland?]

Bland replied, [No, I definitely do not.]

was confused,

a brain fart. Got the name

was speechless, […]

nobody

moment before echoing Painter’s earlier message – [If anyone digs up anything about him, I’d appreciate a heads up.

borrowed from her grandmother. The technical jargon was

through the pages

couldn’t have been more true. She had thought her high school education was comprehensive and had even self–studied some college material, but

double down on her

when Lorna brought her a cup of milk and honey. “Get

good

new message popped

why are you asking about this Everard

held back from Louie. She pondered for a moment

way. Is he

do you know

for a full ten minutes before sending back a cryptic message: [Be careful around him in real life.

he mean by keeping her distance?

replying. I can’t stay away from him, my heart literally aches.]

poetic about love, just as Lorna and Sanderson would. But how could she

she could decide, Louie

Louie understood her meaning. After a moment’s thought, she responded:

Louie went silent.

typing indicator blinked for another ten minutes, but still no message. Was there a

and returning, Cordelia found Louie’s response: I know. I’ll see

He actually knew!

a glimmer of hope. Anyone else might have called him immediately, but Cordelia was

a single word –

bed. Just as she was about to turn off the device, it rang, the sharp tone jarring in the quiet of the

at the screen, recognizing Everard’s number. What could

familiar voice, more velvety than she remembered,

seemed different in the nocturnal stillness, somehow more

he stated, his voice so soothing it seemed to caress the night air.